Camping in Moab

[MR E30 325is]

The roommates and I want to camp in Moab, Utah over winter break (mid December) and I was curious if anyone had any experiences with this situation, the city of Moab, and the rules and regulations of camping in such an area.

We are looking for a place to set up camp for just a couple of days, but we want to avoid any packed areas. Thinking more along the lines of setting up shop in the middle of nowhere, away from set camp sites where the probability of running into other campers is much higher. Its going to be cold, so the ability to light a camp fire will be a necessity.

I am also doing research outside of R3v, but its always good to hear about other peoples experiences from the R3v community.

Any input would be appreciated.

[dirty30]

We camped at tombstone rock. There was a nice little "cove" with a small rock ring already there for a fire. It is far enough from the designated campsites to give you that middle of nowhere feeling.

[mrsleeve]

Are you talking back country, front country, or walmart??

[flyboyx]

that is the desert and certainly not a busy time of year. at night, you will freeze your ass so plan accordingly. temps will probably get down to the 30's or lower. there are rules about camp fires so be sure to figure out what they are and comply with them or some fire bomber might drop 30,000 lbs of fire retardant on you and your buddies.

take your camera and a tripod. that is a beautiful place. i am jelly.

[Mr. Tasty]

my dad just went at the end of october, I couldn't go.

He did roll his jeep though :D

Here is a still shot of the go-pro footage

[ST1G]

It will be COLD in December. That is for sure. It's absolutely beautiful. Take either legs, a mountain bike, a dirt bike, or a truck for rock crawling.

[FlexdXJ]

If you plan on backcountry, we camped out on Lockhart Basin when I went in October. Lots of great camping spots out there.

[AdironRider]

Moab is my playground. Shoot me a PM for the real dirt, I have almost 200 nights camping experience down there.

There are some decent pay sites (10-20 sites) along the Colorado NE of town. Not much free camping up that ways though. Pay sites average about 10 bucks.

The road following the Colorado (take a right at the intersection with McD's, then follow West out of town, bear left onto the dirt portion on the outskirts of town) has some sick free camping once you get down into the canyon (Kane Creek).

If you have a Wrangler or FJ, I highly recommend the White Rim trail pending no snow. Keep in mind you will be on your own out there this time of year so if you are not confident in you rig or your off road driving skills, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. You will need to feel comfortable using a high lift, etc and be ready to use your redneck, get this unstuck ingenuity, cause help will not be coming. So worth it though.

South of Moab is filled with crack/methheads. Id avoid free camping down that way.

The old road into Arches, accessed about 5 or so miles North of Moab has dispersed free camping. A decent 4x4 will make it all the way out to Tower Arch.

Word of note, if it rains, get someplace high. Flash floods can and do happen. Only place Ive ever seen one, and it was epic.

[FlexdXJ]

Moab is my playground. Shoot me a PM for the real dirt, I have almost 200 nights camping experience down there.

There are some decent pay sites (10-20 sites) along the Colorado NE of town. Not much free camping up that ways though. Pay sites average about 10 bucks.

The road following the Colorado (take a right at the intersection with McD's, then follow West out of town, bear left onto the dirt portion on the outskirts of town) has some sick free camping once you get down into the canyon (Kane Creek).

If you have a Wrangler or FJ, I highly recommend the White Rim trail pending no snow. Keep in mind you will be on your own out there this time of year so if you are not confident in you rig or your off road driving skills, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS. You will need to feel comfortable using a high lift, etc and be ready to use your redneck, get this unstuck ingenuity, cause help will not be coming. So worth it though.

South of Moab is filled with crack/methheads. Id avoid free camping down that way.

The old road into Arches, accessed about 5 or so miles North of Moab has dispersed free camping. A decent 4x4 will make it all the way out to Tower Arch.

Word of note, if it rains, get someplace high. Flash floods can and do happen. Only place Ive ever seen one, and it was epic.

Yes, everything this guy said. My jeep is well built to handle most anything but it only takes one sensor going bad and you're stuck.........far from help. Luckily we got out of the basin the day before it rained because that would have made our adventure a lot longer.